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Hey...my mom told me about Muhammed Ali's daughter...she was on Good Morning America this morning talking about the gastric band she got. She has written a book about her experience...there is an excerp on Good Morning America website. I am 11 days post surgery, and honestly, I feel completely normal. I have no pain at all, unless I take too big of a drink of water. There really isn't pain, just some of the shoulder discomfort again. I have hunger now, but find that I am satisfied with just a little bit of yogurt, oatmeal, etc. I HAVE cheated some though (ice cream goes down pretty easily...UGH). I need to get a fill SOON...I can see why this period is frustrating for people. I feel that I can eat more solid foods, but resist because I am supposed to be on mushies for 4 weeks. I have lost 11 pounds since surgery, which is good, but it has slowed down a lot...I haven't lost anything in the past 3-4 days. I know a lot of that was water weight, but I feel like I should be losing because I am eating SO MUCH LESS than I ever did before. Oh well...I just keep plugging along!! Thanks to all for the posts...I learn so much from everyone, and feel like I have my own little support group! Y'all are great! Good luck to those who are still being banded this month...just think...in several weeks we will all be talking about how much we are LOSING!!!!!!! WOO-HOO!!

It went down pretty well. I tried yogurt this afternoon, and that was a little harder..could only do about an ounce. You will feel so much better when you can get some protein and vitamins! Not too long now. Hang in there! I'll be thinking about you.

Hi Guys - Just wanted to check in. I was banded on Monday and I gotta tell you, this surgery kicked my ass! I've had several laproscopic surgeries before, always came through just fine, no gas, no pain. Not this time! Tuesday and Wednesday were the worst, with the pain and nausea. Feeling better now, just have a very low energy level. Got out of the house for a few hours today and almost passed out in Eddie Bauer! Hunger is minimal. I've been living on yogurt, soup, thinned mashed potatoes and water. It's so weird to me to not be hungry, or to be full before I'm even done eating! I'll start back on some protien shakes next week. My best to everyone, pre and post banding!

I am eating more mushies than I am supposed to. I just hate to drink all those liquids and not feel full. I have been chewing so much that the food is liquid before it goes down. What do you all think about yogurt? Does it add to the gas problems? That is what my nurse said, but I had not heard that. I am headed to fitday.com to see how much I have had today, LOL!

Hello To All ! I am 6 days post op and I am delighted to find this Forum. I have been trying to read all 117 pgs of posts before I posted but I just decided to jump in. There is so much Grrreat info coming from everyone ! I am a Sr Citizen compared to most of you @ 59. I just retired in May after 25 yrs of being The School Nurse (Hence the user name) Lovingly given to me yrs ago by the students. I am Not an RN but a Health Tech. I started this Lap Band Process in Sept trying to get our Ins. Tri Care(Military) to pay for it .... It was denied 3xs they would pay for the by Pass But consider the Lap Band experimental. We finally gave up and paid for it ourselves. Tricare did pay for the hospital stay and all the work ups since I had a hernia which was repaired at the time of my surgery. I am doing OK but have had some problems with shoulder pain that seems to be directly related to the gas in my belly. I have other complications which is the need for a hip replacement which means my mobility is very compromised. And I am sure that is why I am having so much gas UGH! Today I woke up and decided that I was going to have some Cream of Wheat. I am one of those who were on Protien shakes 2 weeks prior to surgery Myoplex from GNC. I can not even look at the box with out getting sick to my stomach it was awful !!! Anyway the Cream Of Wheat was wonderful and sat very well. Tomorrow I am trying Light N Fit Yogurt. This is a huge thread but so full of good info and encouragement. Thank You All for being out there. Joanne, Dr.De Barros Tempe Weight Loss Institute Of Arizona

Man, I'm am so sick of BROTH, protein shakes etc. I've been doing them for 12 days now and still have 5 more days! I get to go to Mushie next Thursday and I am counting the days. My doctor still won't let me have meat, but I can have refried beans, cottage cheese, soft egg, no hot sauce, yogurt, and I am even looking forward to cottage cheese. Sherilynn, I hope everything goes okay, please let us know after your cardiologist visit. Also, maillady2, I added you to the master list, and I've sent an email to Angy (the starter of this thread) to update her original post. She should update in a day or two.

For some reason I am addicted to my scale. I am down 5 lbs tho, but have not eaten much since Tuesday anyhow. I am on full liquids today...yum@ protein drink and blended yogurt. I am not drinking enough water and getting nervous. I am uncertain about how much to drink, what kind of sips, and just understanding my body. My mom is forcing me to drink every so often. Otherwise, I feel fantastic today. My soreness is nearly 75% gone. I am able to stand up, move around, roll over and all of that. I think I am going to start driving today. My back is killing me from doing that hunched over old lady walk for the last few days, but that will work itself out in no time. Just wanted to let you guys know how I was doing 3 days post op. Any suggestions about the water? I love water, and aside from iced tea, it is all I ever drank pre op. How much should I be able to tolerate in what kind of time frame?

Jen -- glad to hear you are doing so well! Yay mushies! I know what you mean about looking forward to those foods. I'm on Optifast right now, so I'm actually looking forward to my post-op week of liquids, just so I can have some juice and yogurt drinks! Maria

Good morning gang Not much to report since last night - Watched Big Brother - this year sorta dumb players - had dinner - taco (minus the tortilla) hamburger meat - salsa - onion - avocado and a little cheese. Dessert - greek yogurt (vanilla) mixed w/a little lite cream cheese and splenda (vanilla flavor) - Went to bed early but couldn't sleep was up till about 1.. No gym tonite - getting contacts rechecked.. Phyl - You can't get your water/fluids cuz you are too busy or no room.. Zoey is sure keeping your busy... Hope the back is ok.. When to you leave for NY??

Good Morning Gang... Read last nite when I came to turn the computer off - but needed to get to bed.. Ended up eating popcorn & greek yogurt (w/cream cheese) for dinner - that's all I wanted ;0) - so that's what I ate.. Phyl - I would say we walked for about 3 hrs - you did really well - that was the most that you had walked at the outlets since we have been going - I thought you did VERY well ;0).. What will the pain doc do - Hugs about the back issues - its sure a bitch getting old isn't it - we have all this stuff we want to do - and our stupid bodies are deteriorating My wrist is 7 I think - that's the size bracelets I order ;0) and they are lose - but that's how I like to wear them.. Karla - You are to sweet - We love you .. Yep extended time w/family - Talked to Joseph last night - Kaitlin cleaned up did homework -but he says Melissa is mad at everyone - when she got home the other night she didn't talk to Kaitlin at all.. Didn't deal w/the situation - I think she's depressed - She acted that way when I was up there- she'a always been on the grouchy side (negative) I know that my DS isn't the easiest person to live with - the problem is they are all lazy imho - Joseph says he's staying in Mexico when we go ;0) - he's not coming back lol.. I think her weight (close to 280ish) is dragging her down - then the out of control family - she was on antidepressants a while ago - don't know if she still is.. Well that's their life - I can't do a darn thing about it - but am telling you - I will be on the beach ignoring them if they are too depressing.. Candice - Proud of you for sticking to it !!!

Hugs Hugs Hugs Hugs Karla - take your meds - have a good cry and get some sleep - Hope your proplaspe doc finds you another doctor... He's (the one you went to) is a Freaking AH... Candice - I sent her a message on FB - Just want to make sure she' ok - I know last time she posted that she was having more tummy issues - Phyl's about 1/2 hr from me - not that far :0) and that's driving just a little over the speed limit - not 100 mph LOL ;0) Oh I am glad to know I 'm not the only one who has to do it - Bear & Angel are pretty well trained but Bella isn't at all ;0) Candice - I would have to buy a whole wardrobe - I have nothing warm enough for the snow - don't know about cross country skiing - but would like the sledding OMG I AM POOPED JUST READING WHAT YOU HAVE ON YOUR PLATE TOMORROW ;0) Well as you can see I got multi to work - hit multi then add reply at the bottom - not like the old way where you hit reply on last persons post.. Ok will make greek yogurt - cheese cake dessert - it's easy - will get some gram crackers too ;0) I will figure something out for dinner - Well had gym tonite arms - came home and unloaded dishwasher and picked up the kitchen - talked w/Jackie on FB - she's doing great 132 lbs !!!! Looks really good - got that divorce.. Well it's 8 - having tempura shrimp (baked) spinach - need to go watch my soap - it's been really good for the last few weeks Hugs & Love Janet

Good Morning Peeps Karri - Hugs Hugs & prayers for safe surgery and speedy recovery !!! I will ck fb to see what Lee post.. I know that you must be so happy to have all this behind you - don't know how you are writing a paper - nerves get to me before surgery... Don't think I could consintrate.. Karla - Hugs to gf - yep you need a week of no computer - no work - just doing stuff you want to do.. food yesterday - pt shake for bf w/fake peanutbutter & banana - lunch salad w/turkey - dinner - taco meat Beans avocado and then some yogurt (greek lemon w/whipped cream cheese) gym 1 hrs of arms Still no answers on blood work - will call today Linda - sure hope you are feeling better - vicoden is ugly - good thing it doesn't agree w/me (makes me sick to my stomach when I take a 2nd one) Phyl - were in the heck are you Candice - Where are you (what state ;0) Denise - hope the a/c gets fixed

Good Morning Peeps !!! TGIF !!!! Karla - Have fun - remember leave CC at home ;0)... Dinner ended up being fish - veggies - popcorn - greek yogurt w/WW cream cheese ;0).

What kind of greek yogurt the sf/ff stuff - flavor or unflavored oh heck I'll do both.. be back in a few

Morning folks... I'm having a booger of a time sleeping right now. Don't even know why. Read a book for the first time in a really long time. Lost Symbols by Dan Brown. Bought it almost a year ago and just haven't had the time to sit down and read. Left the TV on for a little background noise, but thoughouly enjoyed an evening of reading. I am going to have to stay later at work tonight to start packing up my room for the summer. I hope to have it done in time to leave on Thursday as soon as we can. I need to be able to go home and build the dog gates for the kitchen. If I build the gates right, I'll be able to leave Simon out of his kennel while I'm gone. Then I need to start planting the...wait for it...8 FLATS of flowers (annuals and perenials) that I brought home for work. What was I thinking, oh yeah, I need one of 'these', two of 'those', ooh, it that a wheeping willow tree? I was going to leave all my flowers at the nursery so I didn't have to plant them right away, but with the weird weather, rain & no sun, the greenhouses were starting to show mold and blackspot. So it is healtheir for me to bring the plants home and baby them here. Janet it must be weird to garden all year round. But I bet is it fun to have roses blooming all the time. Do you have hybrid teas? I use to grow hybrid teas, but with school starting in the fall I didn't always get them 'tucked' into bed for the winter. Phyl, you are so kicking butt watching your food. See you did learn some good habits. I'm hoping to have the energy to cook dinner tonight. The last couple of nights I have had a bowl of my blueberries/kashi/yogurt and a strawberry smoothie for a snack. Well best get busy, you all have a great day.TTFN

I'm finally up this morning. Had a bit of a melt down at work yesterday. I was busting my butt cleaning one of the greenhouses and the other employees, one as old as sin and came with the nursery when my boss bought it and the other a teenager, are driving around in the golf cart, stopping and moving a plant here and there. The stop by and tell me that I need to wait on a customer. I kind of lost it. At the end of the day I went to the boss and said, "I need a day off." I was bawling. She said to take tomorrow and gave me a hug. I appologized for crying, but she said, "No big deal. That for 2 years after her dad died she would start crying for no reason." Anyway, last night, I went out and had a good time. Had a couple of adult beverages and met a sweet guy friend of one of the teachers. I thought for a moment he was into me, but to no avail. He has promised to show me how to shoot. Just a really nice guy, damn. Town is just crazy with the Creamery celebration. The only way I have been able to park at my own house was to baracade my driveway with my garbage dumpster. But people seem to be having fun. Since I didn't get home until...wait for it...a totally unheard of hour for me...2:30 a.m., I am going to take a nap, pick up my house, set up my drip system AND sit on my deck. I may even celebrate and make a fire and have a smore. I have a lot of calories from yesterday, so I can have one guilt free. Plus I have calculated the calories of a smore to be at 160. Basically I had a small blueberry, yogurt, & Kashi for breakfast, 1/2 a protein bar for lunch, and 2 margahittas for dinner yesterday. How is Bella today? Phyl, one week? Damn, that means summer is almost over. I hope you find some relief soon. Did the car get fixed to Earl's specks? Linda, just remember...9 months...9 months... Candice, enjoy your 'mad' money!!!

Janet, I so can see you as a beautician, you would be perfect. I'm tired today. Had a drean that I forgot to go to work. Hummm, a subconcious wish? nah, I need the $$$$. Monday should be fun at work...we are suppose to be 90 degrees. I don't like working when it is so hot. We have to keep watering everything and then it gets all muggy. I know I'm whining. Like I said, just tired. Phyl, if you get a chance when you go to Costco, would you pick up a bag of frozen blueberries? My standard breakfast is blueberries, Kashi Almond Crunch, and Dannon lite & fit vanilla yogurt. I will bring the Kashi and I can pick up the Dannon lite when I get there, but I imagine the blueberries would be difficult to get to. I usually snack on 100 cal packages of kettle korn, but I'll bring that. I'll bring the stuff to make Steph's yummy chicken salad, costco cans of chicken dejion mustard, light miracle whip, tidbit pineapples, craisins, almonds, red onion, and celery. When I'm being fancy, I put it in cantelope halves. I think I still have enough chicken, but if you think about it, why don't you pick up some cans of chicken from costco. Believe it or not, I have tried it with lots of different brands, but the Kirkland is the best. Or, I can cook and chill some chicken breasts. What about chef salad one night using spinch leaves and regular salad leaves? There is a great yogurt based ranch style dressing that Lighthouse has, lighter on calories. Will we be able to go beach combing? I love to search for cool rocks, shells, and ocean glass. Okay NOW I'm getting excited. Suppose I shoudl get ready for work, check in tonight, TTFN

I have been eating a lot of beans, but the doctor would REALLY like me eating real foods and not liquids. That was the entire reason I had this surgery! As for the sugar...HELL NO....I have not had anything that has sugar in it. I will see what it feels like to dump once I get to maintenance (which should be around the end of July/mid August). I will really only try to sugar (in the form of BBQ sauce and Teriyaki sauce) so I know what the start of it feels like in case I eat something at a restaurant and feel it coming on and stop eating. The closest I have come to dumping is getting a light headed feeling when I eat too much sugar alcohol. They really aren't joking when they say that your taste buds totally change when you have gastric bypass. I really have no desire to eat anything sweet. I have some sugar free fudgecicles but I don't eat them very often. SF Pudding makes me sick and sometimes even yogurt is too sweet. The only other way that I would eat (or attempt to eat) sugar is if I start getting too far below goal weight. The doctor is a little worried about that possibility seeing that I started out at such a low BMI for bypass. I am already halfway to goal and I am only one month out of surgery. I am starting to fit back into some of my clothes and had a really good run/walk this morning. I'm STARTING to feel like a normal human being again. Well it is be time...just wish this basketball game would hurry up and get over...with the Heat beating the Mavericks of course.

Good Evening Gang Met w/Trustee of Bro estate - good and bad - time will tell - I am leaving it up to God - not much else I can do ... Information over load.. Today - work - food bf yogurt greek - lunch salad - dinner fish - snack this afternoon popcorn.. Karla - thanks for the tips - I gotta wait till the pull up the base of the honeysuckles then I will prep the soil Candice - WTG shopping - Well i'm starving . going to go cook my dinner . cbl hugs

Got the puppies walked and laundry almost done. Groceries bought, house picked up, car mucked out, and a good portion of my lessons done for the week. It was suppose to rain all day, but instead it is 90. I wanted the rain so I didn't have to Water. food is good today, figured I better get extra careful going into the first week, yogurt, kashi, blueberries for Breakfast, cottage cheese, blueberries, almonds for lunch. Grapes for snack. dinner is going to be some chicken, veggies, & a bite of potatoes. Linda, glad you found something you liked. I could have done some major damage there, but I am behaving for the next 6 months. It will take me that long to get my credit card paid off. I can't handle having a balance, it makes me shop indescriminately, into the thousands. So, now I can not use it until the balance is at zero. Well need to go back to work, ttfn

I really really liked blue blood - Detroit 187 is on Tues nite 10-11 I'm pretty sure or may be 9-10 it's a cop show like blue blood but set in Chicago I liked the preview... I'm getting ready to go watch it in a minute.. Then I watch on with Judging Amy - it's good too and I liked the Defenders and then Friday night something w/Jimmy Smith - don't remember the name - but again another cop/law show ... I took a power nap 20 minutes then went to target to get some yogurt for my bf - but the whole dairy section was closed and empty - must have had a power failure - I've been eating greek yogurt (chobain) vanilla with raspberries &/or black berrier - don't know what I'll have tomorrow - since i'm out don't feel like going to Winco and i don't think they carry that brand Well will let you know about 187 (code for murder)

Good Morning Gang Drive by - it's already 5:45 and I need to get in the shower Hugs Denise - We are all watching the news - I guess this is why pple don't want off shore drilling - this is a major disaster.. Karla - Kids - what can I say - but she DD#4 isn't a kid age wise Hugs.. Phyl - How's Steve and Niece today.. Candice - How's the food Gotta jump in the shower - dinner last nite 3/4 c butternut squash 1 rib 1 100 cal popcorn 1 100 cal yogurt cbl

Yeah, you need to come down here. It's COLD in FL and we're having the best winter since we've been coming down here, I think. See... weatherman just said.. warmest weather here in the whole continental US! Temps hit 80 in most areas of So CA.. We were at least 75. NO.. Food Cop doesn't scare me! I just had a busy day. We went shopping after water aerobics. Michaels, Trader Joe's, Starbucks, bank, Walmart, back to the bank (!), then Costco! Oh, yeah... and the hobby store to pick up all the parts for the two broken airplanes!! Then we had a glass of wine, a little cheese, watched some Judge Judy and had some grilled steak. Tilapia never go finished yesterday. In fact when I posted that I was half done and having trouble... I quit. I was eating so slow that Earl was finished with his dinner before I took my first bite! Then he kept trying to take my plate away because I was eating slow. After a while, I just let him take it because I was obviously not getting anything else down. Tonight... filet.... somewhere between 3 and 4 oz. I ate it all... but VERY slowly. Had a few peas with it, and sauteed mushrooms and onions. BF was a nature valley granola bar... 190 cal. Lunch... snacks at Costco... taste of Healthy Choice chicken noodle soup, small piece of a chicken burrito, little piece of cheese, 1 cracker w/dab of cream cheese and sm piece of smoked salmon and 2 bites of yogurt. I think that was it. I guess there was chicken sausage there somewhere, but I missed it. Oh.. I had a couple of bites of curry chicken at TJ's. It was pretty tasty. I might try making that. They were serving it over rice... that kind of rice that starst with a "b" that I can't think of right now. Down 2 lb at TOPS today. I'm getting so annoyed with them I don't think I'm going to let them elect me leader again. I had a frustration last week when I showed up with all my stuff and was told, "Oh, we decided we'd just have a weigh in this morning"... no meeting because it was New Years Eve. Excuse me?? Our meeting is at 8 a.m.!! And if they were going to decide that (while I was out of town Christmas week) someone should've sent me an email or called me on the phone to let me know! So this week... I get there a little before 8 am. to get weighed. We have a basket we put fruint and healthy snacks in... everyone is uppsoed to contribute something and then the best loser of the week gets to take it home. So I go to put something in the fruit basket and it's empty! So I said, "didn't anyone else bringh anything for he basket today???" Weight Recorder says... "Oh, I already gave it to Betty. She lost 3 lb and I didn't figure anyone was going to beat her>" Betty had already left. The fruit basket is supposed to be awarded during the meeting. You don't give it to someone who is "probably" going to be the best loser before the meeting even starts! And it's not supposed to go to someone who isn't even staying for the meeting! I was sort of ticked off but kept my mouth shut. But, I'm abut ready to be done. All summer when I was gone I kept asking them to email me copies of the minutes and they never communicated anything! Okay, enough about that!! It's killing me not to have any Papaya when I have problems like I had last night with the tilapia. But if it's here... once I start, I just keep popping them in like M & Ms! So... no more! Cut back on my wine. Now am addicted to Challenge Sudoku on FB! HELP ME!! It's time for bed.

Good Evening Gang... Back from the gym ... Pooped - I had spinach salad w/feta cheese - avocado - red onion & my yogurt dressing and 2 oz of steak - not enough carbs for my work out BBQing a pork tenderloin that's been marinating since yesterday Last night made instant potatoes (I ususally love them) ate 1/4 cup they didn't taste good - the cauliflower tasted better - so threw the taters out and had more cauliflower - so tonite rice - cauliflower and pork.. Jackie GF Chill please !!! Why are you so worked up - hell surgery is surgery - there are complications from the band too - I understand she's your child - but don't think the worse - think positive just like Linda said. You put your life on the line getting the band - you could have left your children motherless.... But you still had surgery - they still put you to sleep and that imho is the scariest part of surgery.. She will be ok... She has all us praying for you and her !!!! Phyl - you rock girl !!! I don't know what else to say... I can't wait to see you walking !!! You can get an arm thingie for your blackberry - and I tell you something - I can't walk without my ipod - if it runs out of batteries - I am done .. I know it's an excuse but I gotta have my music when I am on the treadmill - Love Whitney Houston's new CD !!! I don't think it's your type of music - but Makes you Feel like a million dollar bill song is great to walk on the treadmill with - it's up tempo - I have mostly up tempo music on my ipod - some slow jams for when I do high inclines.. Well gang I got some really sad news - got a call from my Aunt Dot's stepson - I guess her cancer has metastasized - she's in hospic - she can't swallow - so it's a matter of time and she is fading fast.. Don't know how the cancer came back like that (she had a masectomy 7/02) and last we had talked she was clear - but I guess it popped back up.. This is the last of my Dad's family - that I know - I have 2 cousins but they are like 18 yrs older than me and I don't know them (they lived on the east coast and I'm here on the west) Well my dinner's done - I am going to go eat - I think Dancing with the Stars is on tonite... I'll chat with you all in the morning xoxox J

Good Morning Gang Ya Karri you are between a rock and a hard place :0) right now - this too shall pass - Am glad you are home today.. Kids will survive... Eat your healthy food - it's ok - as long as you aren't hitting the sugar ... Rant Rant - we will listen... Maybe you can catch a couple of winks today.. Meditation :0) do some typing games :0) But I know you - you will be working even though you aren't at work :0) Food good last night chicken catchatorri (sp) apple pie yogurt w/a little granola.. Did 35 min wii this a.m. 105 cal burned - waffeling between hitting the gym tonite or just doing the wii - we will see which wins.. Phyl how did the rest of your dinner go?? Candice Will you be able to drive today and go to the gym Kari - How are you today - did you get rid of the soda's - what's on your schedule today. Karla - You are at work - won't read this til tonite - hope you have a good day. Denise - you are back at work Hugs.. Well gotta get cracking on my work - CBL